Community Efforts and Animal Welfare in Afghanistan

In November 2023, Nowzad was absolutely thrilled to receive the Global Alliance for Rabies Control (GARC) Champion Vet Clinic Award, for our work combatting rabies in Afghanistan.

In a two-pronged approach to public health in Afghanistan, Nowzad is dedicated to eliminating rabies and mitigating its spread. Through our team of 6 full-time veterinarians, we offer free rabies vaccinations for dogs and cats, aiming to create a community immune barrier that extinguishes the virus entirely amongst these animal populations. We extend this vital protection to livestock and working equines too, promoting the overall health of larger animals in the community.

Alongside this vaccination effort, Nowzad also implements exciting rabies awareness programmes in primary and secondary schools across Kabul. By educating this next generation on rabies prevention and responsible animal care, we hope to significantly reduce dog bites and, consequently, rabies cases. Furthermore, we advocate for the sterilization of dogs and cats to effectively manage their population growth. This not only helps to control stray populations but also reduces the transmission of diseases among individuals. Through these initiatives, we strive to create a healthier and safer environment for both humans and animals.

While reliable and official data on rabies cases in Kabul might be severely limited, there are certainly positive signs suggesting a decline. Observations indicate a decrease in the number of rabid dogs, offering a promising glimpse into the effectiveness of ongoing efforts. As part of our Award, our vet teams have been very fortunate to be trained in GARC’s extensive rabies surveillance tools, which they make full use of around Kabul now.  We are sure this will contribute enormously in painting a reliable picture of rabies in the capital, and then help us identify “hotspots” to target for vaccinations.

Our efforts are certainly making a positive impact! We've seen a heartening increase in the number of animal rescues by our Afghan community members. These individuals are actively bringing injured and sick animals to our hospital for treatment and vaccinations, demonstrating a growing trust and awareness of Nowzad’s services. This trend is further echoed by the rise in calls informing us about animals in need. This valuable communication allows us to prioritize critical cases and expand our reach in terms of rabies eradication.

One recent case perfectly exemplifies this community spirit. A horse owner whose animal was bitten by a potentially rabid dog hired transportation and brought the horse across the city to our hospital for a complete rabies vaccination course. Despite the challenge of transporting such a large animal, his dedication to his horse's health underscores the growing commitment to animal well-being within the community. We made sure to really commend his initiative and willingness to take responsibility for his animal's health.  As much as Nowzad can do to encourage this attitude, the better!

Being a GARC awardee has played a pivotal role in Nowzad’s work this past year. The recognition has really boosted public trust in us, fostered community engagement and provided additional, much-needed resources – all of which have enhanced Nowzad’s capabilities in serving animals and the community in Afghanistan.

Thank you again from all of Nowzad for everyone’s support and generosity!

Article contributed by Dr Reshad and Nina Ley, Nowzad.